Philadelphia pitcher Jamie Moyer throws in the outfield during a workout Friday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Moyer, 45, will start for the Phillies against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA  The 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the unofficial anthem of Major League Baseball, was Friday. There's no truth to the tale that Jamie Moyer was the first to sing it.

In a World Series full of juicy subplots, perhaps the most intriguing of all is about to play out: Can a 45-year-old man with a fast ball that rarely cracks 85 mph (135 kph) stop a lineup stacked with brash boppers?

Game 3 is on Saturday, weather permitting, when the left-hander and the Philadelphia Phillies face the Tampa Bay Rays with the teams tied at 1-1. The retired Steve Carlton will throw out the ceremonial first ball — Moyer won his MLB debut in 1986 by outpitching the future Hall of Famer.

Moyer gets his chance to finally pitch in a World Series, and fans of a certain generation get an opportunity to cheer for one of their own.

"The age thing, it's not an issue, but it's been around for a while with me and I think I'm kind of over it, because I've been around a lot of younger players," Moyer said during Friday's off-day. "Some kids haven't even been born yet when I was in the major leagues."

"It's kind of weird to think about it," he added. "But back a few years ago when I played in Texas, I had two teammates, Nolan Ryan and Charlie Hough, that were in their 40s, and I really looked up to them and respected who they were and what they did in their careers. And now I've kind of come full circle with it."

Moyer will become the second-oldest player to appear in a World Series. Jack Quinn was 47 when he pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1930.

That is, if the rain holds off. The forecast called for showers into Saturday night. When the Rays and Phillies finished batting practice, the grounds crew rolled out the tarp to protect the field before the first Series game at Citizens Bank Park.

Matt Garza, the MVP of the American League Championship Series, was set to start for Tampa Bay. At 24, he said he couldn't imagine pitching two more decades.

"At 45, I want to be watching my son play," Garza said. "He's doing it with will and guts. Pitching at 45 is amazing. That's a feat. It's undeniably amazing."

Rays stars Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton, both born after Moyer began his pro career, knew better than to belittle Moyer's soft stuff.

"You've just got to try to be patient," Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford said. "Look for your pitch. It's going to be a little slower."

Phillies hitters weren't in a kidding mood, either. Especially after they went 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position during the first two games at Tropicana Field. They get a chance to break loose as the Series returns to Philly for the first time since 1993.

A high school star in nearby Souderton, Pennsylvania, and college ace at Saint Joseph's, Moyer started out with the Chicago Cubs. In his debut, he beat Carlton and pitched into the seventh inning, when he was chased by Mike Schmidt's RBI single.

Moyer made his next start a week later, also against the Phillies. Schmidt homered and Philadelphia romped 19-1.

Over the years, Moyer has played in 46 big league ballparks. His record was 246-185 with the Cubs, Texas, St. Louis, Baltimore, Boston, Seattle and Philadelphia.

"Doesn't have the capacity to throw 90 (mph). Has faced losing his job three times. Has been an underdog most of his career. Sum total: He will be a HOFer if he ever stops pitching," Schmidt said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Moyer is known for his abundance of charity work. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon knows that compassionate side.

"Just briefly, a quick story: When my dad was dying in 2002, Jamie did give him a phone call one day, and I'll always be indebted to him for that," Maddon said on Friday. "And I've always looked at him differently because of that moment."

This year, Moyer went a team-leading 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA. And he's not ready to leave yet.

"I love the challenge. I enjoy the challenge," he said. "I haven't lost that desire. That's what really pushes me. That and being in the situation that we're in right now, being in the World Series."

"It's been a long wait. I'm trying to enjoy this. I'm trying to take it all in, trying to realize where I am. It's a special time," he said.

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